Moreover, previous clinical trials demonstrated little difference in efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy between HPV-positive and -negative HNSCCs.7,8 Our study implies that the immune response of OPC tumours is not determined solely by HPV status, as the immune microenvironment affects the anti-tumour immune response of OPC tumours. The gene discussed is PDCD1; the disease is neoplasm.